Millions of people deal with allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, skin irritation, itching eyes, and respiratory problems, year-round. Pollen, dust, and specific food are well-known triggers, but there’s a source of allergens that goes unnoticed: water. Although drinking water helps the body stay healthy, it can contribute to allergy problems if the water is ridden with impurities.
Common Allergy Triggers in Water
Water quality, defined as water’s physical, chemical, and biological composition, directly influences human health. While many municipalities treat water to meet safety standards, it doesn’t mean that tap water is entirely free from contaminants. Here are common waterborne substances that can cause or aggravate allergies:
Chemicals
Disinfecting water typically involves using chlorine and chloramines. These compounds can dry skin and exacerbate respiratory problems, making people with eczema and asthma particularly vulnerable. Many other chemicals can disrupt hormonal balance and compromise the endocrine and immune systems, consequently amplifying allergy symptoms. These include:
- Bisphenols
- Disinfection By-Products
- Polyfluoroalkyl and Perfluoroalkyl Substances
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
- Pharmaceutical Residues
- Phthalates
- Organotin Compounds
Minerals
Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that permeate water. Exposure to it can irritate eyes, dry or inflame the skin, cause hives, and worsen pre-existing skin problems like atopic dermatitis or eczema. The dissolved minerals can also become airborne through steam and vapor, triggering stuffy nose, sore throat, allergic rhinitis, and other respiratory issues.
Heavy Metals
Though not allergens in the traditional sense, heavy metals can stress the immune system, increasing sensitivity to irritants. Exposure to elements with high atomic weight, like copper, chromium, lead, and nickel, can also cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and systemic contact dermatitis (SCD). Both are inflammatory skin reactions, such as itching, swelling, lesions, rashes, and redness.
Fungi and Mold
Standing water and moisture in pipes, showerheads, and humidifiers encourage mold and fungal growth. Their spores and cell wall fragments can spread through mist or steam and enter water sources through distribution systems, surface runoff, biofilms on pipes or storage tanks, and other wet surfaces.
When inhaled or exposed to, they can cause sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or throat, and dry, scaly skin. Moreover, they can lead to asthma attacks and other severe respiratory issues.
Microbes
Some waterborne bacteria, like mycobacterium avium complex and endotoxins, may come from sitting water in pipes and get mixed in vapor and steam. When inhaled, they can inflame the lungs and aggravate existing respiratory issues. Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae also irritate the skin, eyes, and ears after direct contact.
Minimize Allergy Risks by Improving Water Quality
The contaminants above can leach into water in various ways, including natural sources, poor plumbing management, industrial or agricultural runoff, or improper chemical disposal. Even clean tap water can collect impurities from outdated or corroding pipes.
Because of that, it’s essential to invest in professional water testing and whole-house filtration systems. Contact Adams Water Conditioning today for expert recommendations and servicing in Ocala, FL.
